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Tag: Dance

Emancipatory Dance – Dancing Intersectional Feminism

This article was originally part of my Theory and Criticism work for my MFA in Dance in 2014, and critical pedagogy and artistic practice continues to be relevant to my teaching, coaching, and creative practice over a decade later.

My perspective has continued to expand with my maturation, experience, and ongoing education, so articulating my philosophy and approach is an ongoing challenge.

Since my graduate school years, I’ve made updates based on my qualitative in-studio encounters and from others who wish to honor the tradition of dance, including classical ballet, while also supporting the whole dancer and society in a contemporary context.

Jaunty June – 2025 Month 6, Q2 & Midyear Reflection

A sweet spring in Cologne and in the US came to a close, June brought a heat wave, hay fever, relief that a couple critical medical procedures in the family seem to have been successful, end-of-schoolyear, start of the summer, and birthday fests.

In this article I’ll wrap up the month of June, Quarter 2, and the first 6 months of 2025 as a whole in my own projects, life and events.

Jolly Roger July & a Piratical Summer – being freedom, treasure & adventure in treacherous times

Though I may not want a life on the open sea myself, I was raised on sailing and pirate stories and appreciate the ethos of freedom, treasure, and adventure.

What better time to embark on a fantastical journey of imagination than summer?

May Replay – 2025 Month 5 Reflection

In May, we had one more week of work and play on the Big Island, several days of travel back to Cologne, then jumped jetlagged back into teaching, coaching, publishing and celebrating there! Felt at home in both Hawai’i and Germany, both happy and homesick in each location.

Good Day, Sunshine – Warm Greetings to Bask in Solar Energy at the Solstice & Through Mindful Movement & Meditation

Happy Summer Solstice, arriving in late June in the Northern Hemisphere, and a time of high summer, early harvests, fruits and berries, creative energy in the natural world and for us individually.

Tap into the radiant energy of long bright days, short nights (as well as tipping into times of shorter days), basking, glowing, radiance, enjoyment, savoring, bounty, nourishment, possibly also thriving, relaxation, rest, vacation, getting outside, energy and adventure.

A ripe time for dance and sport intensives, camps, writing and creativity, and rich possibility for growth and breakthroughs!

April Adventures on 2 Continents & an Island – 2025 Month 4 Reflection

April revelry took place on two continents and an island, was 50 percent “regular” teaching, creating, and normal publishing schedule and travel prep, 50 percent adventures in several places I feel at home: Portland, Oregon with dear friends like family and Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i with actual family and mentors.

Honored to host and participate in special events along the way, such as World Tai Chi & Qigong Day on the Big Island, a live performance of “The Wizard of Oz Ballet” and a recorded one of the Big Island Choreographers

In a nutshell, my personal themes for the month were Easter & Spring, Love & Friendship, and HOME.

March into Spring & Outstanding Quarter 1 Things – 2025 Month 3 & Q1 Reflection

In this article I’ll wrap up the month of March and Quarter 1 as a whole as related to my own projects, life and events. What went on for you during this period and what’s planned?

The first blossoms emerged from the earth, filling me with excitement to bloom with you this season.

Real Criticism – Fraught to Fabulous, Fine to Fugly Feedback Examples

Recently I shared a new workshop called “Fine Feedback: How to Give & Receive Constructive Criticism & Promote Dance in the Process” with a group of talented dancers & choreographers at West Hawai’i Dance Theatre.

Content included practicing a host of powerful tools for distinguishing fact, interpretation, empowering & disempowering input about our creative work.

During the workshop, I shared examples like the ones I read off index cards in this video, from fabulous to fraught, words of feedback I’ve heard and received in the context of dance technique, performance, choreography, and even publishing on YouTube…

Fine Feedback Workshop – How to Give & Receive Constructive Criticism & Promote Dance in the Process

In the “Fine Feedback” workshop, dancers and choreographers will learn tools to solicit, evaluate, and provide high-quality critique, practice distinctions, and come away with supportive structures that can be applied to future dancemaking.

February was for Demonstrating & Dancing, Love, Karneval & Eating Disorders Awareness – 2025 Month 2 Reflection

February was for protest & partying, demonstrating & dancing, love, Eating Disorders Awareness Week & Koeln Karneval!

The first blossoms emerged from the earth, filling me with excitement to bloom with you this season.

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